PALAKKAD | KALPATHI AGRAHARAM | കല്‍പ്പാത്തി അഗ്രഹാരങ്ങളുടെ ചരിത്രം #kalpathi #radholsavam2023

KALPATHI AGRAHARAM : Google Plus Code : QMW2+66X Palakkad (2.5 Kms) Coimbatore (54 Kms) Trichur (69 Kms) Some 6 centuries ago, group of families from one of the most conservative comminities of the Cauvery basin took the remarkable decision to migrate to an unknown land leaving the comforts and privileges of life in Tanjavur. What drew them to the wooded banks of a river on the other side of the mountains? I had the previlage to meet K.N.Lakshminarayanan, a retired officer of Indian Railway Personal Service and a resident of Kalpathi, who devoted his time to research the origin and history of Tamil Agraharams of Palakkad. I am privileged to meet such a honourable person, scholar and a writer who is always sought by many research scholars and students. He narrates the origin and history of Kalpathy Agraharams. The first heritage village in the state, Kalpathy in Palakkad district is famous for its unique architecture, culture and Rathotsavam (chariot festival). The traditional hamlet on the banks of River Neela was established by migrant Brahmins from Thanjavur. There are mainly four agraharams in Kalpathy: Chathapuram, Govindarajapuram, Old Kalpathy and New Kalpathy. There is a Siva temple here that resembles the famous Kasi Viswanatha Swamy temple of Benares. Sree Viswanatha Swamy Temple at Kalpathy is one of the oldest Siva temples in Malabar, and is believed to be over 700 years old. The annual Ratholsavam or chariot festival at Sree Viswanatha Swamy Temple is one of the most spectacular festivals of Kerala. It is based on Vedic Tamil Brahmin culture. A week-long Carnatic music festival is organized as part of this. The chariot festival is held in the month of November. Agraharams are Brahmin colonies,which are structurally similar: all villages have two temples on either side of the village; the houses follow a similar style, with small artistically carved doors, 6–7-ft long latches on them, and thick wooden thresholds. Dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, when the Brahmins of Vijayanagara ventured further south to escape persecution from Muslim invaders, agraharams grew in number following the Brahmin exodus from the Muslim-dominated states of Kanjeevaram, Madurai and Tanjore. At Palakkad and other smaller polities across south India, local rulers and zamindars offered them land to build homes. These new settlers became priests, making a living by veda parayanam (Vedic chanting), and over the course of time also became landowners. Legends trace the setting up of Palakkad’s agraharams to a romantic story. It is said that a prince of the royal dynasty of Kochi fell in love with a tribal girl, and was ostracised for his relationship with an outcast. The prince decided to leave his family and settled down in the area to set up the royal dynasty of Palakkad. The Namboodiri Brahmins in the region, who wanted no part in officiating the ceremonies of an ex-communicated prince, left the area. The Palakkad Kings sought the help of Brahmins living on the other side of the Palakkad Gap, who graciously agreed. As a result, Tamil Brahmins settled down in Palakkad. The areas where they settled grew into gramams or agraharams. The residents of the Palakkad agraharams have been noted for their intellectual accomplishments. Education is also an integral part of many agraharams; the primary school in villages such as Chokkanathapuram date back 120 years. Many of these students made their way to the prestigious Government Victoria College, which was the main recruiting ground for clerks during the British Raj. Several stalwarts of the Indian Administrative Service come from these agraharams, achieving much with their modest beginnings and local schooling. Yet, while the agraharams retain much of their original character, they have changed with the times. Originally, they housed only Brahmins but most Brahmin settlers have shifted elsewhere, having sold their homes to non-Brahmins, mostly Nairs. Even so, new settlers have adapted to the traditions of the agraharams. For instance, most families here do not cook meat in their homes. My Travel Series : 1. Trivandrum to Kanyakumary :    • TRIVANDRUM to KANYAKUMARI | Part 3 | Azhim...   2. Leh- Ladakh :    • LEH PLAZA HOTEL | Comfortable  3-Star Hote...   3. UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India :    • UNESCO World Heritage Sites | Western Ghat...   4. Rameshwaram Dhanushkodi:    • RAMESWARAM - DHANUSHKODI | രാമേശ്വരം - ക്ഷ...   5. Bengal Yatra :    • BENGAL YATRA | ബംഗാളിലെ ചക്ലയിലേക്ക് | Ep-1   6. Agumbe:    • AGUMBE | Cherrapunji of South | ദക്ഷിണേന്ത...   #kalpathy #agraharam #palakkad